Praxair starts operations at new hydrogen plant to supply US Gulf refiners

The new plant houses the largest steam methane reformer (SMR) built by Praxair to date. It will supply hydrogen and up to 450,000 lb/hour of steam to Valero’s new 57,000 bpd hydrocracker.

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Praxair on Monday started up its new 135 million
standard cubic feet/day (scfd) hydrogen plant serving the
Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas,
as well as other regional customers.

The new plant houses the largest steam methane reformer
(SMR) built by Praxair to date. It will supply hydrogen
and up to 450,000 lb/hour of steam to Valeros new
57,000 bpd hydrocracker.

Hydrocrackers are used to break down hydrocarbon molecules in heavier crude
oil to produce premium transportation fuels, such as gasoline,
diesel, and jet fuels, that burn cleaner and are in strong
demand globally. The process produces high-value, low-sulfur
products for each barrel of high-sulfur feedstock.

The new Port Arthur SMR is connected to Praxairs
existing 750 million scfd Gulf Coast pipeline network. The
network includes a unique 2.5 billion scf high-purity hydrogen
storage cavern that provides additional supply reliability for Praxair customers
along the pipeline.

This project represents a significant
investment in hydrogen supply for Praxairs customers
along the Gulf Coast, said Mike Jordan, vice president of
Praxair's hydrogen business in the US. And with the
completion of a similar plant with pipeline expansion in Louisiana this year, we
will enhance competitive supply options for the lower
Mississippi River corridor as well.